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NEWARK, NJ– Graduate student Shakia Robinson had a season-best in points (25) and rebounds (15), but it wasn't enough, as the NJIT women's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 77-72 loss to Virginia Commonwealth University Saturday afternoon at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

The loss was the second straight and sixth in seven games for the Highlanders (3-12), while VCU picked up its school record 10^th straight win and improved to 11-1 for only the second time in program history.

The Highlanders controlled the action in the early going and extended their early lead to 18 (43-25) with just 26 seconds remaining in the first half on a layup from Robinson, who had 16 of her points in the first half.

But the Rams put the defensive clamps down on the Highlanders, allowing NJIT to score just one field goal over the first nine minutes of the second half. The Highlanders had a jumper from junior guard Alyssa Albanese with 16:37 remaining and that was it, as VCU mounted its run.

"I think a team that hadn't had much success can look at the clock a little there," NJIT head coach Steve Lanpher said. "We got a little less aggressive and didn't attack the basket the way we should have. We got a little tentative at the wrong time."

Robyn Parks, who ended the game with 24 points, scored on a layup with 11:32 remaining, giving VCU a 53-51 lead that the Rams would not relinquish. At that point, VCU had outscored NJIT, 28-8, over a span of nine minutes. Parks also grabbed eight rebounds for the winners.  "She's a heck of a player, one of the best in the country," Lanpher said of Parks.

Despite falling behind by as many as seven in the second half, the Highlanders never quit.

The Highlanders sliced the lead to 71-68 with 1:02 left on a 3-pointer by junior forward Martina Matejcikova and had a chance to tie the game with 27 seconds left, but junior guard Denisa Domiterova's 3-point attempt bounced off the rim.  "We had our chance there, but the ball went in and out," Lanpher said. "

Parks then made two free throws to ice the win for the visiting Rams.

For VCU, Jessica Pellechio added 16 points, including connecting on 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Isis Thorpe scored 15 points for the winners and also made 3-of-6 from long range. Keira Robinson had nine points and 11 assists for the Rams.

Robinson was the lone Highlander to reach double figures.  Senior forward Uju Nwankwo and freshman guard Alana Dudley each scored nine points. Dudley made all three of her attempts from behind the arch.

Albanese had a solid floor game, scoring seven points, dishing off for six assists and collecting five assists.  The Highlanders held a commanding 38-29 lead off the glass, led by Robinson's season-best 15 rebounds.

"Shakia played really well," Lanpher said. "I'm happy with the way the younger kids stepped up and add something to our rotation. I'm not much for moral victories, but I'm proud of the effort. We played a very good team. I'm disappointed with the outcome, but proud of the effort. We've played some good teams and hopefully that will help us get some wins. We continue to get much better, so that's a positive."

The Highlanders close out the 2013 portion of their schedule with a game against Wagner Monday night at the Fleisher Athletic Center, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m.

Courtesy James Hague